We get used to technology changing at a rapid pace, and sometimes you don't notice how things have changed until you step back and realize how dependent we are on our computers. The prolific use of the Internet is probably the most significant change in technology we have experienced (or will experience) in our lifetime.
We use the internet for everything. It is used to pay bills, reconcile our bank accounts, pay quarterly taxes and do our Christmas shopping. Cell phones deliver messages to us at the moment they are sent. There can be no disputing that email use has revolutionized communications in business. We are truly a "connected" society.
The problem is that we are all indeed connected. Those of us who would normally not come into contact with certain less-desirable elements of society are now thrown into the collective melting pot that is "the internet." And just like all societal groups, that by their nature largely follow the rules and mean no harm, there are predators there.
Everytime you pay a bill or sign up for a coupon or newsletter, a piece of your information is being submitted to a potentially unsafe source. Online banking and shopping put credit card numbers and vital security info on a database server that could be hacked by electronic criminals. Even our medical information is kept in a digital format, with the possibility of dissemination to the wrong element in our collective internet community.
To exclude ourselves from the internet and it's advantages, both personal and professional, is to some degree an irresponsible squandering of opportunities to enrich your own life and the lives of others.
Fortunately, you can take steps to protect yourself and become a less likely target for identity theft.
How Big of A Problem is It?
Everyone is taking notice, and most are concerned. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that up to 9 million Americans were victimized in this way last year. Identity theft costs victims hundreds if not thousands of dollars, and months or years of agonizing struggle to sort out the instances of fraud.
One of our own clients had their company's information used to take out a business loan. When the loan was defaulted on, the company began receiving calls to collect the bad debt. The company is still spending time and money to straighten out the aftermath of the identity theft.
How Does it Happen?
Identity thieves are looking for such information as your name, social security number, credit card numbers, birth date and so on. Once found, this information is used to make purchases or commit crimes, or the information is sold to others who will do so.
These attacks occur primarily in two forms: Phishing and Keylogging.
- Phishing
- Keyloggers or other viruses
"Phishing" is a term coined by computer hackers, who use email to fish the Internet hoping to hook you into giving them your logins, passwords and/or credit card information. In all these scams, the phisher first impersonates a legitimate company such as your own internet service provider, or your auction site or a financial institution. In the typical scam, you'll get an email that appears to be from a reputable company. You'll be asked to go to a special site to update your account information. This is usually a "red flag" because a reputable business should NEVER ask you to update personal account information in an email!
If you get one of these messages, don't panic - and don't respond. Remember this advice: Don't give your personal information to anyone you don't know. If you are concerned that the message might be genuine, call your ISP (or bank or other organization being spoofed) at a telephone number you obtain from your billing statement or through an email address the legitimate company provides.
Keyloggers
